Image source, Stephen Huntley/BBC
- Author, Danny Fullbrook
- Role, BBC News, Buckinghamshire
The organiser of a fitness event targeting the Afro-Caribbean community said she wanted to remind people exercise could be fun.
Dr Sheun Oke, who organised Milton Keynes Largest Afro- Caribbean Fun & Fitness Day said the event aims “to put the fun back in fitness while helping a good cause”.
She explained she wanted to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support as she lost her own father to cancer when she was younger.
The event included groups training with resistance bands, high intensity workouts and ended with discussions of wellness and cancer awareness.
Image source, Stephen Huntley/BBC
A big part of the event involved Afro-Caribbean dance work outs using genres of music such as Reggaeton, Dancehall and Bachata.
Dr Oke said: “Exercise comes with a negative connotation, we want to show the people what the Afro-Caribbean community brings to fitness…
“We’re bringing what we have in our community to the larger community.
“You’re laughing, you’re smiling, you’re connecting with other people- that’s what this is all about.”
Dr Oke explained she had also lost her mum to diabetes and warned obesity was a “big problem” in the UK.
She said: “When you move more, when you look at what you eat more, we can solve that problem, one family at a time.
“I know what it is like if we don’t do the right thing now, I’m already in my late 40s and I want to help other people.”
The event was targeting families in the Milton Keynes Afro-Caribbean community.